Tonight after telling me about her special job at school as a paper filer, Malia asked, "Mom, have you ever felt like your job was never done?"With a huge smile on my face, and a laugh I responded, "Yes. Everyday."
I did a double take when I saw this from the kitchen...can that be my Malia?!
It seems like not that long ago, that Shel and I were swimming at this little pool as children. It feels like yesterday that we were watching Makayla wade in that pool as a toddler, and now, look at Makayla! It's hard to believe this shot was taken back in August!
Capturing memories, especially through pictures, is one of my favorite things. Life is so fleeting. In one of Hilary Weeks' songs she talks about how if she could she would, "ask time to stand still", so she could hold her loved ones for a little longer...I think that's something else I love about photos. It's kind of like time is standing still.
It's sometimes hard for me to remember these "shining moments" as I am going through the perfunctory tasks of motherhood and living. It's easy for me to overlook all of the "small and simple things" that evidence my Savior's great love for me in my daily life. Life is hard. That thought used to discourage me greatly. I'm coming to realize, it's okay that it's hard. It's meant to be. Yet, "men are that they might have joy". The word might has stuck out in my mind lately. I'm learning that although experiencing joy is largely a choice, it's okay if I don't feel joy every second of the day. If I didn't know sorrow, I wouldn't know joy. And there is a range of "good cheer" in between sorrow and joy!
The prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” Although there are only 5 things mentioned on that path, I struggle with them! That's the beauty of the word pursue.
This phrase from a Hilary Weeks song gives me comfort as I think about my journey so far in pursuit of the path that leads to happiness, "This is my story, and I'm still writing"!
3 comments:
That's a good reminder Suzy! Our job can be so difficult - and it definitely feels like we never accomplish much. But all of those little moments are what is really important!
My philosophy is that every stage of life has good things about it and bad things. If you focus on the good things - you will be happy! :) If you focus on the bad, you will not! life is never perfect (much as we would like it to be).
What wonderful thoughts! It helps me to know that you and most other mothers struggle with some of the same things and overcome them! It's so hard to find joy in the journey sometimes!
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